Backed by AkzoNobel’s global network and science-based carbon reduction targets, the launch of the IONOMY ecosystem marks a bold step towards helping the entire value chain address decarbonisation, modernisation, and resilient growth.
AkzoNobel Coil & Extrusion Coatings has launched the industry’s first consultancy-led, not-for-profit partnership dedicated to make energy curing a viable and scalable solution for coil coaters and integrated steel manufacturers worldwide.
The initiative, called IONOMY™, brings together experts in technology and solutions, including materials, curing, systems integration, software and hardware. The IONOMY ecosystem unites leading specialists to help businesses overcome the challenges of adopting energy curing, providing guidance from diagnostics and road mapping to line redesign and long-term optimisation.
“It isn’t just about making a tweak to the process. Energy-curing is a complete reimagining and transformation of how coating lines are designed, operated, and optimised. We see the enormity of the challenge through our customers’ eyes, and this is why we have created the IONOMY ecosystem,” has stated Sebastien Villeneuve, Transformation Manager, Coil Coatings, AkzoNobel Coil & Extrusion Coatings.
The name IONOMY combines ‘ionisation’ and ‘economy’. Ionisation highlights the critical role energy plays in triggering the cold curing process, which is central to renewable energy curing. Economy reflects the significant business benefits of energy curing, including reduced energy costs, faster throughput, improved sustainability, and long-term profitability.
The IONOMY ecosystem comprises:
- AkzoNobel Coil & Extrusion Coatings – initiator of IONOMY and a global leader in coil coating solutions.
- PCT Ebeam and Integration – supplier of innovative and reliable ebeam systems for coil lines.
- IST METZ GmbH & Co. KG – leader in UV and LED curing systems.
- Globus Srl – specialist in coating systems and machine engineering for coil.
- NOVACEL SA – global leader in processing and protective films for innovative materials.
Despite the availability of energy-curable products, adoption in the coil coating industry has been slow, largely due to the complexity of transition. Many businesses remain uncertain about how to adapt operations to seize the renewable energy-curing opportunity.
“We’ve been guided by the values of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability to step forward and help our customers unlock change. No one company can deliver this kind of transformation alone, which is why the IONOMY ecosystem is built on collaboration to guide the industry into its next chapter. Our aim is to help coil coaters embrace the more efficient and sustainable future that’s within reach. Together, we’ll make renewable energy curing not just possible, but practical and profitable for all coil coaters and steel processors who will be free to adapt, innovate and compete on a new level,” has commented Chris Bradford, Market Director, Coil & Packaging Coatings, AkzoNobel.